Arsenal Ran Riot.
After a disappointing home performance by Arsenal to give Slavia Praha a lifeline, they completely turned the game around in their away tie against the same opposition. Even with the absence of their captain, Arsenal produced a masterclass performance to advance into the semi-final of the tournament and they set up a clash with Villarreal.
Smith-Rowe thought he had given his side the lead in the 16th minute when he tapped home a rebound but he was ruled for offside. Arsenal wasn't to be denied for long and in the 18th minute, Smith-Rowe played Pepe through on goal. He held the ball well and drilled his shot into the roof of the net from a tight angle to give Arsenal the lead, 1-0. It was a lovely effort and goal. The goal was confirmed after a VAR check.
Arsenal won a penalty in the 20th minute which Lacazette stepped up and duly dispatched to make it 2-0 and 3-1 on aggregate. He sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot-kick. Arsenal tried to avoid a repeat of their collapse in the first leg.
It was indeed a festival of goals as Saka's individual brilliance came to the fore as he drifted in and unleashed his strike which found the back of the net in the 24th minute, keeping the goalkeeper rooted to the spot. That was a lovely goal from Saka. That was the second goal in quick succession for Arsenal, 3-0 and 4-1 on aggregate.
Arsenal tried to add a 3rd in the 29th minute when Saka found Chambers whose low cross into the box was cut out and threat nullified. Slavia in all fairness tried to get a goal back and produced some beautiful moments but they came short and Arsenal held on strong. Arsenal had another shout for a penalty when Olayinka hooked Holding's leg but the referee was having none of it.
The first half ended with Arsenal taking control with a 3-goal lead.
The second half started and both teams tried to get a goal but they were half chances and they didn't really threaten the goalkeepers much. Lacazette hoped to get another penalty when he fell under a challenge in the 57th minute but the referee didn't give it.
The complete riot came in the 77th minute when Lacazette gathered a pass from the left side of the net. He expertly turned, lost his markers and buried the chance into the back of the net to make it 2 on the night for him and 4 for Arsenal on the night and also 5-1 on aggregate. What a performance. The game ended 4-0 and a huge relief and excitement for everyone connected to Arsenal.
Thank you for your time.
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